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Calls for calm as Zambia election results trickle in

Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu has been re-elected, according to official results, which are being challenged by the main opposition party.

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That means Lungu was “duly elected” after defeating his main rival Hakainde Hichilema, Chulu said.

Hichilema accused the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) of fraud and demanded to speak with the commission’s chairman on Sunday, but was denied access to its headquarters by police.

“We have confidence that the constitutional court will rise above the board and declare the results a nullity”, the lawyer added. “So bear with us because we want to ensure that we get factual results”, she told a press briefing.

“The results haven’t gone the PF way, presidential results in particular!”

He blamed Hichilema’s party for the delays, saying they had raised numerous complaints with the electoral commission. “The victor in the elections could have been announced a day or two ago”.

The electoral chief said most polling stations opened on time because materials were distributed on time, although there were a few polling stations, mostly in western and northwestern Zambia, where voting was delayed due to poor road network. “There is no reason why they can not release the results”, Hichilema added.

As of Monday, August 15, President Edgar Lungu was shown to be in the lead, with 85% of constituencies having been counted. They can not win the presidency and we have done our PVT (Parallel Vote Tabulation).

She, however, said the electoral body expected to start giving official presidential results at 2pm local time, yesterday.

“Lungu has not won this election and he knows that, wherever he is seated”, said Hichilema.

He wondered how G12 cannot be available in Lusaka where the ECZ is located adding that some polling stations are a stone’s throw from ECZ offices.

“We appeal to all Zambians, regardless of their affiliation to remain peaceful, to reject violence”, the group said in a statement.

“Some of that has been supported by worldwide observer missions”, Page said.

“Why are they taking this long?” he asked.

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ECZ is yet to announce results from 24 constituencies and the next update is scheduled at 06:30 hours this morning.

Zambia awaits election results